January 3, 2008

Finland's Jan-Sept '07 meat imports at EUR141 million

The value of meat and meat product imports to Finland totaled EUR141 million in January-September 2007 with beef imports valued at EUR24 million and pork imports over EUR30 million, statistics by the National Board of Customs show.

One third of beef imports come from Brazil, the board said.

According to Finland's food information Finfood, no details were dished out on the use of imported meat but a large portion is used by the hotel and restaurant sector, while a smaller portion is used by industry and is sold in the retail market.

Finnish meat import company Suomen Tuontiliha imports beef from Brazil under its own Brassie brand as well as lamb from New Zealand. Most of the meat is sold by retail chain Kesko, but some is sold to restaurants through wholesalers. The company buys its products from growers that are approved by EU officials. According to the company, tightening import terms will raise the price of meat.

The EU has started to pay more detailed attention to the origin of imported meat, and as of the end of January 2008, it has to be easier to clarify the origin of Brazilian meat.